The Endura Convert jacket has been around for a good few years now, and with its removable sleeves is the perfect jacket for mountain biking at this time of year.
Why removable sleeves I hear you cry? The weather and temperature can be so changeable and varied at this time of year that flexibility and choice is needed in your clothing. If it gets a bit roasty toasty inside, removing the sleeves goes a long way to helping regulate your temperature.
The jacket is made using a three-layer MIG microfiber soft shell fabric with a windproof membrane built-in. The sleeves attach with zips at the front and back, and roll up small enough to be stored in one of the three pockets, or even better stashed in your hydration pack.
It provides good warmth on colder days, it keeps the wind out well and it’s reasonably water resistant. The zipped sleeves are going to be an obvious weakness if you’re riding in prolonged heavy rain, but I didn’t notice any moisture creeping in on my test rides.
The tail drops down quite a bit more than the front so you don’t leave yourself exposed when in the riding position. The sleeves are a good length, and the cuffs are elasticated so you can pull them over a pair of gloves easily. There are three rear pockets, generous in sizing, plus a small zipped pocket and a zipped chest pocket.
A relaxed cut gives a generous fit. There is plenty of space underneath for extra layers, but I’ve found a simple long sleeve base layer underneath is adequate.
I’ve found the removable sleeves far more useful than I thought I would. It can be damn cold at the start of a ride, especially if you’re off out early, but you soon warm up. I tend to notice the heat building up in the arms first, which can then become uncomfortable. Removing the sleeves is a smart way of regulating your body temperature, keeping the important part – your chest – wrapped up but allowing excess heat to escape through the arms.
In a way you’re getting two high quality tops in one, an excellent softshell jacket for winter and a gilet for warmer riding, or when you want a bit more flexibility. You get a stack of features for the £99.99 price, and it’s thoroughly bombproof too.
It’s available in four colours.
Verdict
A feature-packed jacket ideal for the winter with the added versatility of removeable sleeves.
Price: £99.99
More information: Endura Convert jacket
What Endura says:
Microfibre jacket with windproof & breathable membrane – converts to a gilet
Mig 3-Layer microfibre fabric with windproof/breathable membrane
Xtract stretch wicking fabric gilet sleeves
Zip off detachable sleeves allowing venting and conversion into gilet
Zipped chest pocket with media port
Reflective trims on sleeves and shoulders
Triple rear stash pockets – two of which are mesh
Rear zipped security pocket
Construction
